Last semester, Industrial Design student, Joe Palmer placed in the Inhabitat Spring Greening Design Competition. The design was initially conceived to fulfill the latest requirement of developing an eco friendly design in Product Studio II taught by Donald Corey, Assistant Professor of Industrial Design. Almost immediately, Joe, a junior at the time, thought of using chop sticks while enjoying fresh sushi on a warm spring day. After noticing the numerous flip flop wearing students on campus Joe developed the Chop Flops by making use of the readily available supply of recycled chop sticks.
After revising the design and presenting his concept to the class, Joe decided to submit it to the Inhabitat Spring Greening Design Competition. While studying in Prague this past summer as part of North Carolina State’s study abroad program, Joe was notified that he was amongst 20 finalists from over 1500 entries. There would be two categories for the finalist to place in; first, the readers’ choice would be decided completely by an online voting system. The second would be the editors’ choice, which was voted on by a panel of judges.
Joe Palmer placed 2nd amongst the editors’ choice. Since the competition’s conclusion the Chop Flops were shown at Dwell on Design in Los Angles as part of TOUCH’s Booth whom partnered with Inhabitat. Additionally, the Chop Flops were featured on several internet design magazines and eco-conscious websites. Joe is scheduled to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Appalachian State.
Chop Flops, flip flops made of recycled chopsticks designed by Industrial Design student Joe Palmer
Chop Flops, flip flops made of recycled chopsticks designed by Industrial Design student Joe Palmer